by Calculated Risk on 4/23/2014 06:56:00 PM

Nick Timiraos at the WSJ has some excerpts from a research note by Goldman Sachs economists: Why Credit Is Key for the Housing Recovery

The Goldman economists say they expect new home sales to reach 800,000 units by 2017, up from 430,000 last year, based on traditional drivers such as job growth and household formation. But sales will only rise to around 600,000 units in 2017 if lending standards remain at their current levels.
...
Nearly 40% of new borrowers last year had credit scores above 760, compared with just 25% before the housing bubble in 2001. Meanwhile, less than 0.2% of borrowers had credit scores below 620, compared to 13% in 2001.

Thursday:
• At 8:30 AM ET, the initial weekly unemployment claims report will be released. The consensus is for claims to increase to 313 thousand from 304 thousand.

• Also at 8:30 AM, the Durable Goods Orders for March from the Census Bureau. The consensus is for a 2.0% increase in durable goods orders.

• At 11:00 AM, the Kansas City Fed manufacturing survey for April.